Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

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Introduction

John Bunyan (1628–1688) was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire, to a family with gypsy associations. After his army service during the Civil War, Bunyan returned to his Bedfordshire home to preach the Gospel. He became a powerful speaker and was arrested in 1660 for holding unlawful meetings. After his liberation in 1671 under the Declaration of Indulgence, Bunyan became Paster of Elstow Church, where, despite a few interruptions, he remained for sixteen years. In 1675 he was arrested again and sent to Bedford Gaol, which earned him the nickname ‘Tinker out of Bedford Gaol’! It was during his incarceration there that he began to write Pilgrim’s Progress; the first part of this allegorical work was published in 1678 but it was not completed until 1685. Bunyan died in London three years later and was buried in Bunhill Fields. He who would valiant be is taken from the second part of Pilgrim’s Progress and was revised by Percy Dearmer (1867–1936).

‘Monks Gate’ was adapted from an English folk tune by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), who compiled and edited The English Hymnal of 1906. He began collecting English folk tunes in 1902 and used them to great effect in a number of his compositions. Vaughan Williams wrote many original hymn tunes including ‘Down Ampney’, which is sung to Come down O Love Divine and some of his best-known adaptations of folk tunes are ‘Easter Song’ (All creatures of our God and King), ‘Quem pastores laudavere’ (Jesu good above all other) and ‘Forest Green’ (O little town of Bethlehem).

Details

He who would valiant be ’Gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy Follow the Master. There’s no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound His strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might, Though he with giants fight: He will make good his right To be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend Us with thy Spirit, We know we at the end Shall life inherit. Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say, I’ll labour night and day To be a pilgrim.

John Bunyan (1628-1688)

This hymn is derived from the song sung by Mr Valiant-for-Truth in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. In Part II Christian’s wife and children, who are following Christian in his journey to the celestial city under the guidance of Mr Greatheart, meet the bloodstained Mr Valiant-for-Truth who has just been fighting three men, Wildhead, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatick and overcome both them, and others who wished to discourage him. This is his song of dedication and determination to continue as a pilgrim. Its first use as a hymn was in 1873, but Percy Dearmer, in preparing English Hymnal (1906), while seeing its value, thought that it needed amendment to be fit to sing in church in the 20th century. Both this version and Bunyan’s original ‘Who would true valour see’ are now in use.

The theme of pilgrimage is a valuable one in the Christian life, and one that young people take up readily as they look to what may be ahead of them.

What most of all set this hymn on its path of popularity was Vaughan Williams’ adaptation of a folk song, with its interesting, striding rhythm. ‘Monks Gate’ is derived from a traditional sea-song ‘Our captain calls all hands on board tomorrow’.